Apparatus and methods for pad assemblies for exercise machines

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for pad assemblies for exercise machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pad assembly for an exercise machine includes a layer of compressible padding having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user&#39;s body and a second surface opposite from the first surface. A backing structure is attached to the layer of compressible padding and has a backing surface proximate the second surface. The backing surface is shaped to provide an approximately uniform-thickness portion of the layer of compressible padding when a compression force is applied to the first surface during an exercise. The approximately uniform-thickness portion may be coextensive with the portion of the user&#39;s body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for padassemblies for exercise machines, and more specifically, to padassemblies that provide improved pressure distribution characteristicsduring an exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The convenience, efficiency, and safety of exercise machines arewidely recognized. Many different types of exercise machines are in usetoday. Some models have a single exercise station, while other modelsinclude multiple exercise stations at which a user may perform one ormore exercises for developing and toning different muscle groups.

[0003] Many exercise machines include one or more pad assemblies thatengage against portions of the user's body during an exercise. Forexample, FIG. 1 shows an exercise machine 42 in accordance with theprior art. This exercise machine 42 may be used for developing arm andleg muscles, and includes a support frame 44 with a seat 46, and a pairof swing arms 48 rotatably coupled to the support frame 44. Each swingarm 48 includes a stirrup 50 for receiving one of the user's feet, a legpad 52, and a cylindrical arm pad 54. The arm and leg pads 54, 52 areattached to a support 49 of the swing arm 48. An elastic band 56 isattached between the two swing arms 48.

[0004] For leg exercises, a user (not shown) may sit on the seat 46 withthe user's feet inserted into the stirrups 50, and with an outer portionof each of the user's legs engaged with the leg pads 52. As the userforces the outer portion of the user's leg against one of the leg pads52, the swing arm 48 pivots outwardly and stretches the elastic band 56.When the force is relaxed, the elastic band 56 moves the swing arm 48inwardly to an initial, resting position. Alternately, for armexercises, the user places a portion of the user's arm (e.g. the forearmor hand) against one of the cylindrical arm pads 54 and applies anoutwardly-directed force, causing the swing arm 48 to pivot outwardlyand stretching the elastic band 56. Exercise machines of the type shownin FIG. 1 are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,439 issued toLee.

[0005] Many other models of exercise machines include pad assembliesthat are firmly engaged against various portions of a user's body duringan exercise. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,587 to Carlson et al.discloses an exercise device having a pair of leg pad assemblies thatbear against the user's shins during a leg extension exercise.Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,746 to Mask teaches exercise machineshaving a flat leg pad that bears against the back of the user's calfduring a leg curl exercise. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,308 to Leeteaches an exercise machine having a pair of cylindrical arm pads thatengage inside surfaces of a user's arms during a chest or “fly”exercise, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,457 issued to Caruso teaches legexercise machines having pad assemblies that engage a user's shouldersand knees during a leg exercise. Many other examples of exercisemachines having pad assemblies that engage portions of a user's bodyduring an exercise are known.

[0006] One disadvantage of prior art pad assemblies is that during anexercise, the compressive force applied by the user on the pad assemblydoes not remain uniformly distributed over the associated portion of theperson's body. For example, FIG. 2 shows an enlarged, partialcross-sectional view of a swing arm 48 of FIG. 1 engaged with portionsof a user's body. Specifically, the upper portion of FIG. 2 shows across-sectional view of a user's forearm 58 engaged with the arm pad 54during an arm exercise. As the user applies force against the arm pad54, the outer surface of the arm pad 54 is compressed from an initialposition 60 to a compressed position 62. The pressure (i.e. force perunit area) on the user's forearm 58 during the arm exercise is greatestat a peak-pressure area (or point) 64 that typically corresponds to themost highly compressed portion of the arm pad 54. The pressure on theuser's forearm 58 decreases from the peak-pressure area 64 over thoseportions of the user's forearm 58 that are spaced apart from thepeak-pressure area 64 and that are in contact with less-compressedportions of the arm pad 54.

[0007] Similarly, the lower portion of FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectionalview of a user's leg 66 engaged against the leg pad 52 during a legexercise. During the exercise, the outer surface of the leg pad 52 iscompressed from an uncompressed position 68 to a compressed position 70.As with the user's forearm 58 in the previous example, the pressure onthe user's leg 66 is greatest at a peak-pressure area (or point) 72usually corresponding to the most highly compressed portion of the legpad 52, and decreases from the peak-pressure area 72 over those portionsof the user's leg 66 that are in contact with less compressed portionsof the leg pad 52. Thus, even though the uncompressed position 68 of thesurface of the leg pad 52 is a contoured surface adapted toapproximately conform to the shape of the user's leg 66, the leg pad 52does not compress uniformly and the pressure distribution over theuser's leg 66 is substantially non-uniform.

[0008] Because the compression forces are not more evenly distributedover the relevant portions of the user's forearm 58 and leg 66 duringthe arm and leg exercises, the user may experience discomfort, or mayotherwise experience reduced satisfaction with the exercise machine.Therefore, pad assemblies that more evenly distribute the compressionforces over the relevant portions of the user's body during an exercisewould have utility over the prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods forpad assemblies for exercise machines. In one aspect, a pad assembly foran exercise machine includes a layer of compressible padding having afirst surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body and a secondsurface opposite from the first surface. A backing structure is attachedto the layer of compressible padding and has a backing surface proximatethe second surface. The backing surface is shaped to provide anapproximately uniform-thickness portion of the layer of compressiblepadding when a compression force is applied to the first surface duringan exercise. The approximately uniform-thickness portion may becoextensive with the portion of the first surface that engages with theuser's body.

[0010] In another aspect, an exercise machine in accordance with theinvention includes a support frame having a fixed portion and a moveableportion moveably coupled to the fixed portion, a load coupled to themoveable portion, and at least one pad assembly attached to the supportframe. The pad assembly includes a layer of compressible padding havinga first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body, and abacking member attached to a second surface of the layer of compressiblepadding opposite from the first surface. The backing member has abacking surface engaged with the second surface of the layer ofcompressible padding that is at least partially contoured such that acompression force applied against the first surface provides anapproximately uniform-thickness portion of the layer of compressiblepadding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exercise machine in accordancewith the prior art.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of theexercise machine of FIG. 1 engaged with portions of a user's body duringan exercise.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of arm and legpad assemblies in accordance with two embodiments of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevational view of a leg exercisemachine having a pad assembly in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of a leg yoke of the legexercise machine of FIG. 4.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the leg yoke of FIG. 5.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a lower isometric view of an embodiment of a padassembly of the leg exercise machine of FIG. 4.

[0018]FIG. 8 is an exploded, cross-sectional end view of the padassembly of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a partial isometric view of another embodiment of a padassembly of the leg exercise machine of FIG. 4.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the leg yoke of FIG. 5 engaged witha user's legs.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a lower isometric view of a leg pad in accordance withan alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a partial isometric view of the leg pad of FIG. 11installed on an exercise machine.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the leg pad of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention is generally directed to apparatus andmethods for improved pad assemblies for exercise machines. Many specificdetails of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in thefollowing description and in FIGS. 3-13 to provide a thoroughunderstanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art willunderstand, however, that the present invention may have additionalembodiments, or that the present invention may be practiced withoutseveral of the details described in the following description.

[0025]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of arm and legpad assemblies 100, 150 in accordance with two embodiments of theinvention. In this example, the arm and leg pad assemblies 100, 150 areshown installed on a swing arm 48 of the arm and leg exercise machine 42described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in the upperportion of FIG. 3, the arm pad assembly 100 includes a backing structure102 that is attached to the support 49 of the swing arm 48. A resilient,compressible layer 104 is attached to the backing structure 102. Thebacking structure 102 includes a non-planar (e.g. contoured) surface 106that supports the compressible layer 104 against compression forcesapplied to an outer surface 108 of the compressible layer 104.

[0026] In this embodiment, the backing structure 102 is an axisymmetricstructure having an approximately “hour-glass” shape. The backingstructure 102 may be formed of any suitable, sufficiently rigidmaterial, including metal, wood, plastic, or the like. Similarly, thecompressible layer 104 may be composed of any known padding material,preferably a material that provides suitable resiliency andcompressibility for extended use in a high-use exercise environment. Thecompressible layer 104 may be composed of, for example, foam or rubberpadding, and may include an outer layer of neoprene, cordura, nylon, orother suitable protective covering material.

[0027] In operation, a user engages an arm 58 against the outer surface108 and applies a force against the arm pad assembly 100, compressingthe outer surface 108 from an uncompressed position 60 to a compressedposition 62. In this embodiment, in the uncompressed position 60, thecompressible layer 104 does not have a uniform thickness between theouter surface 108 and the non-planar surface 106 of the backingstructure 102. In the compressed position 62, the compressible layer 104is compressed against the non-planar surface 106 of the backingstructure 102 such that at least a portion 110 of the compressible layer104 has an approximately uniform thickness between the user's arm 58(i.e. the compressed position 62) and the non-planar surface 106. In theapproximately uniform-thickness portion 110, the pressure distributionon the user's arm 58 is approximately uniform.

[0028] In general, it should be noted that the approximatelyuniform-thickness portion 110 need not be of an exactly uniformthickness, and that the actual thickness values of the compressiblelayer 104 within the approximately uniform-thickness portion 110 mayvary without perceptibly changing the pressure distribution on theportion of the user's arm 58 that contacts the pad assembly 100. The armpad assembly 100 advantageously improves the pressure distribution onthe user's arm 58 during an exercise. Because the non-planar surface 106of the backing structure 102 provides an approximately uniform-thicknessportion 110 of the compressible layer 104 when the layer 104 is in thecompressed position 60, an improved distribution of the compressionforce applied by the user may be achieved. The pressure exerted on theuser's arm 58 within the approximately uniform-thickness portion 110 maybe less than that which occurs at the peak-pressure area 64 (FIG. 2) ofthe prior art device, and may be approximately uniform over this area ofthe user's arm 58. Because the arm pad assembly 100 more evenlydistributes the compression forces over the part of the user's arm 58engaged against the approximately uniform-thickness portion 110 comparedwith the prior art arm pad 54, the user is less likely to experiencediscomfort during an exercise. Thus, the user's satisfaction with theexercise machine may be enhanced.

[0029] The shape of the non-planar surface 106 may vary widely dependingon several variables, including the anticipated shape of the portion theuser's body the pad assembly is intended to engage, the anticipatedforces on the pad assembly, the shape of the outer surface of thecompressible layer 104, and other characteristics of the compressiblelayer 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, for example, thenon-planar surface 106 is concavely-shaped to provide an approximatelyuniform-thickness portion 110 that engages only a portion of the surfaceof the user's arm 58 that contacts the compressible layer 104. Inalternate embodiments, the shape of the non-planar surface 106 may betailored to provide an approximately uniform-thickness portion that islarger or smaller than the portion 110 shown in FIG. 3, including aportion that is co-extensive with the entire surface of the user's arm58 that contacts the compressible layer 104. The non-planar surface 106may have an increased or decreased concavity from that shown in FIG. 3,and may have a varying or non-uniform concavity.

[0030] Referring again to FIG. 3, the leg pad assembly 150 includes abacking structure 152 that has a contoured (or non-planar) surface 156,and a compressible member 154 attached to the contoured surface 156. Inthis embodiment, the contoured surface 156 is shaped such that when thecompressible member 154 is compressed during use, the contoured surface156 provides an approximately uniform-thickness portion 160 of thecompressible member 154 that is co-extensive with the contact surfacebetween the user's leg 66 and the compressible member 154. The pressureexerted on the user's leg 66 may be approximately uniformly distributedover the approximately uniform-thickness portion 160, and may be lessthan that which occurs at the peak-pressure area 72 of the prior art legpad 52 (FIG. 2). In addition, the contoured surface 156 may cooperatewith the non-planar outer surface (i.e. the uncompressed position 68) ofthe compressible member 154 to provide a more even pressure distributionover the relevant portion of the user's body during an exercise.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevational view of a leg exercisemachine 200 including a pair of pad assemblies 250 (only one visible) inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. The leg exercisemachine 200 includes a bench 202 and a fixed support 204 positioned nearan end of the bench 202. A leg yoke 210 is pivotably attached to thefixed support 204 and includes pad assemblies 250. A cable 205 has afirst end attached to the leg yoke 210 and a second end attached to atraining load 208 (e.g. a weight stack). The cable 205 is operativelyreeved about one or more pulleys 206 so that as the leg yoke 210 ispivoted on the fixed support 204, a tension force in the cable 205 mayraise (or lower) the training load 208. Except for the particularcharacteristics of the leg yoke 210 and the pad assemblies 250, whichwill be described below, the overall operation of the leg exercisemachine 200 is similar to the devices described in, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,672,143 issued to Ish, U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,295 issued to Ish,and U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,018 issued to Ish et al., which patents areincorporated herein by reference.

[0032]FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of a leg yoke 210 of the legexercise machine 200 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of theleg yoke 210 of FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the leg yoke 210includes a pivot arm 212 having an upper end 214 that pivotably engagesthe fixed support 204. A base member 216 is attached to a lower end 218of the pivot arm 212. The base member 216 includes a pair of padsupports 220 that project laterally from a central portion 222 of thebase member 216 and which, in this embodiment, are contoured into aconcave shape. Each pad assembly 250 is attached to one of the padsupports 220.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a lower isometric view of one of the pad assemblies 250of the leg exercise machine of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is an exploded,cross-sectional end view of the pad assembly 250 of FIG. 7. The padassembly 250 includes a contoured backing plate 252 and a layer ofcompressible padding 254. A protective cover layer 256 extends over thecompressible layer 254 and is attached to the backing plate 252,securing the compressible layer 254 to the backing plate 252 andprotecting the compressible layer 254 from sweat or damage during use.The compressible layer 254 may be composed of, for example, foam orrubber padding, and the protective layer 256 may be neoprene, cordura,nylon, or other suitable protective material. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the protective layer 256 is attached to the backing plate 252 bystitching 258. A channel 260 is attached to the backing plate 252 by,for example, one or more rivets 262 (FIG. 8). The channel 260 is sizedto receive one of the pad supports 220 of the leg yoke 210 (FIG. 6). Asshown in FIG. 9, the channel 260 may be replaced with one or morebrackets 264. Retaining members 266 (e.g. screws, bolts, rivets, etc.)secure the pad support 220 to the backing plate 252 of the pad assembly250.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a top elevational view of the leg yoke 210 of FIG. 5engaged with a user's legs 270. In operation, the user may be seated onthe bench 202 with the user's legs 270 (shown in cross-sectional view inFIG. 10) engaged with the pad assemblies 250. As the user's leg 270presses against the protective layer 256, such as during a leg curl orleg extension exercise, the compressible layer 254 is compressed againstthe backing plate 252, and the protective layer 256 moves from anuncompressed position 272 to a compressed position 274. Because thebacking plate 252 is contoured, a portion 276 of the compressible layer254 is compressed to an approximately uniform-thickness between theuser's leg 270 and the contoured backing plate 252.

[0035] The leg pad assembly 250 may advantageously improve the pressuredistribution on the user's leg 270 during an exercise. Because thecontoured backing plate 252 provides an approximately uniform-thicknessportion 276 of the compressible layer 254 when the compressible layer254 is compressed to the compressed position 274, the pressuredistribution on the user's leg 270 may be approximately uniform, and animproved distribution of the compression force applied by the user maybe achieved. The maximum pressure exerted on the user's leg 270 by theleg pad assembly 250 may be less than that which occurs in the prior artdevice, and may be more evenly distributed over the part of the user'sleg 270 engaged against the leg pad assembly 250. Thus, the user may beless likely to experience discomfort during an exercise, and the user'ssatisfaction with the leg exercise machine 200 may be enhanced.

[0036]FIG. 11 is a lower isometric view of a leg pad 300 in accordancewith an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, theleg pad 300 includes a compressible member 302 having a front surface304 that engages with a portion of a user's body (not shown). Thecompressible member 302 also has a back surface 306 with a depression308 formed therein. Threaded apertures 310 are disposed within thedepression 308 and are attached to a stiffening strip 309 (FIG. 13)embedded within the compressible member 302. In one embodiment, thestiffening strip 309 is a steel strip having a plurality of holes toimprove the mechanical attachment of the compressible member 302 withthe stiffening strip 309.

[0037] In the leg pad 300 shown in FIG. 11, the compressible member 302may be a unitary member formed of polyurethane or other suitablycompressible material. Preferably, the compressible member 302 may beformed of a “self-skinning” polyurethane that is molded into the desiredshape by, for example, injection molding. During the molding process,the self-skinning polyurethane forms a durable, aesthetically-pleasingouter surface.

[0038]FIG. 12 is a partial isometric view of the leg pad 300 of FIG. 11installed on a leg yoke 210 of an exercise machine. In this embodiment,a portion of the contoured pad support 220 is fittingly engaged into thedepression 308 disposed in the back surface 306 of the compressiblemember 302. Threaded members (e.g. bolts) 312 are engaged through thepad support 220 and into the threaded apertures 310 of the leg pad 300,securing the leg pad 300 to the leg yoke 210.

[0039] In operation, the user's leg 270 (not shown) is pressed againstthe front surface 304 of the compressible member 302. The compressiblemember 302 is compressed between the user's leg 270 and the pad support220. Because the pad support 220 is contoured into a desired shape, anapproximately uniform-thickness portion of the compressible member 302may be formed as described above with respect to the precedingembodiments. The pad support 220 may be formed into any desired shape orradius of curvature, preferably a shape or radius of curvature thatprovides a compressed shape of the compressible member 302 thatapproximately corresponds with an anticipated shape of a surface of theuser's leg 270 that contacts the front surface 304 of the compressiblemember 302.

[0040]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the leg pad 300 of FIG. 11.In this embodiment, the leg pad 300 and the contoured pad support 220are adapted to engage against a user's shin. As best shown in FIG. 13,the front surface 304 has a contoured portion having a radius ofcurvature of about 2.25 inches, the pad support 220 has anothercontoured portion having a radius of curvature of approximately 3.00inches (signified by the bottom of the depression 308). Of course, asdescribed above, many alternate embodiments may be conceived havingvarying radii of curvature for the front surface and the pad support (orbacking surface). Generally, for most applications for pad assembliesfor exercise machines, it is anticipated that the radii of curvature ofthese surfaces may typically vary within the range from about 1.5 inchesto about 7.0 inches for engagement with most commonly contacted portionsof a user's body, although greater or lesser radii may be employed.Furthermore, in alternate embodiments, the pad support 220 may beseparate from the leg yoke 210, and may be separately or integrallyformed with the compressible member 302. The pad support 220 may then beattached to either the fixed or moveable portions of the frame of theexercise machine for use.

[0041] Because the leg pad 300 does not require a backing plate 252, theleg pad 300 may advantageously provide the desired pressure distributioncharacteristics in a simpler, more economical assembly than the otherembodiments described above. The contoured pad support 220 forms therelatively rigid backing structure which provides the approximatelyuniform-thickness portion of the compressible member 302 during use ofthe exercise machine.

[0042] Although the above-described embodiments of pad assemblies havebeen described as being engaged with portions of the user's arms orlegs, it should be understood that, in alternate embodiments, padassemblies in accordance with the invention may be readily conceivedthat engage other portions of a user's body. For example, exercisemachines having pad assemblies in accordance with the invention may beconceived wherein the pad assemblies bear against a user's shins duringa leg extension exercise as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,587 toCarlson et al., or bear against the back of a user's calf during a legcurl exercise as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,746 to Mask, or bearagainst inside surfaces of a user's arms during a chest or “fly”exercises as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,308 to Lee, or bear against auser's shoulders or knees as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,457. Otherexamples of exercise machines having pad assemblies in accordance withthe teachings of the present disclosure may be conceived.

[0043] The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are notexhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventorsto be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, persons skilled in theart will recognize that certain elements of the above-describedembodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create furtherembodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope andteachings of the invention. It will also be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may becombined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within thescope and teachings of the invention.

[0044] Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachingsprovided herein can be applied to other apparatus and methods for padassemblies for exercise machines, and not just to the embodimentsdescribed above and shown in the accompanying figures. Accordingly, thescope of the invention should be determined from the following claims.

1. A pad assembly for an exercise machine, comprising: a compressiblelayer having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user'sbody and a second surface opposite from the first surface; and a backingmember having a non-planar surface engaged with the second surface ofthe compressible layer.
 2. The pad assembly of claim 1 wherein thebacking member comprises a contoured support attached to the secondsurface.
 3. The pad assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-planar surfacecomprises a contoured portion that provides a compressed shape of thecompressible layer that approximately corresponds with an anticipatedshape of the portion of the user's body.
 4. The pad assembly of claim 1wherein the non-planar surface comprises a contoured portion having aradius of curvature within the range from approximately 1.5 inches toapproximately 7.0 inches.
 5. The pad assembly of claim 1 wherein thefirst surface comprises a concave portion adapted to engage a portion ofthe user's body.
 6. The pad assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-planarsurface of the backing member is shaped to provide an approximatelyuniform-thickness portion of the compressible layer when a compressionforce is applied to the first surface during an exercise.
 7. The padassembly of claim 6 wherein the approximately uniform-thickness portionis co-extensive with a portion of the first surface adapted to engagethe portion of the user's body.
 8. The pad assembly of claim 1 whereinthe non-planar surface of the backing member is shaped to provide anapproximately uniform-pressure portion when a compression force isapplied to the first surface during an exercise.
 9. The pad assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the backing member comprises a coupling assembly adaptedto attach to an exercise machine.
 10. The pad assembly of claim 1wherein the backing member comprises a contoured backing plate.
 11. Thepad assembly of claim 1 wherein the backing member comprises anaxisymmetric member.
 12. A pad assembly for an exercise machine,comprising: a compressible member having a first surface adapted toengage a portion of a user's body and a second surface opposite from thefirst surface, the second surface being adapted to engage a contouredbacking surface such that a compression force applied to the firstsurface provides an approximately uniform-thickness portion of thecompressible member between the first surface and the contoured backingsurface.
 13. The pad assembly of claim 12 wherein the second surfacecomprises a depressed portion adapted to fittingly engage at least aportion of the contoured backing surface.
 14. The pad assembly of claim12 wherein the contoured backing surface comprises a contoured padsupport projecting from a moveable portion of the exercise machine. 15.The pad assembly of claim 12 wherein the approximately uniform-thicknessportion is co-extensive with a portion of the first surface adapted tocontact the portion of the user's body.
 16. The pad assembly of claim 12wherein the contoured backing surface comprises a contoured portionhaving a radius of curvature within the range from approximately 1.5inches to approximately 7.0 inches.
 17. The pad assembly of claim 12wherein the compressible member comprises a polyurethane member.
 18. Thepad assembly of claim 12 wherein, when the compressible force isapplied, the compressible member provides a first surface approximatelycorresponds with an anticipated shape of the portion of the user's body.19. A pad assembly for an exercise machine, comprising: a layer ofcompressible padding having a first surface adapted to engage a portionof a user's body and a second surface opposite from the first surface;and a backing structure attached to the layer of compressible paddingand having a backing surface proximate the second surface, the backingsurface being shaped to provide an approximately uniform-thicknessportion of the layer of compressible padding when a compression force isapplied to the first surface.
 20. The pad assembly of claim 19 whereinthe backing surface is contoured such that the compression force isapproximately uniformly distributed over the first surface.
 21. The padassembly of claim 19 wherein the approximately uniform-thickness portionis co-extensive with the first surface.
 22. The pad assembly of claim 19wherein the backing surface comprises a contoured portion having aradius of curvature within the range from approximately 1.5 inches toapproximately 7.0 inches.
 23. The pad assembly of claim 19 wherein thebacking structure comprises a channel attached to the backing structureopposite from the layer of compressible padding and adapted to attach toa support portion of an exercise machine.
 24. An exercise machine,comprising: a support frame having a fixed portion and a moveableportion moveably coupled to the fixed portion; a load operativelycoupled to the moveable portion; at least one pad assembly attached tothe support frame, the pad assembly comprising: a layer of compressiblepadding having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user'sbody; and a backing member attached to the layer of compressible paddingand having a backing surface engaged against the layer of compressiblepadding opposite from the first surface, the backing surface being atleast partially contoured.
 25. The exercise machine of claim 24 whereinthe backing surface is contoured such that a compression force appliedagainst the first surface provides an approximately uniform-thicknessportion of the layer of compressible padding between the backing surfaceand the first surface.
 26. The exercise machine of claim 25 wherein thebacking surface is contoured such that the approximatelyuniform-thickness portion is co-extensive with a portion of the firstsurface adapted to contact the portion of the user's body.
 27. Theexercise machine of claim 24 wherein the backing surface comprises acontoured portion having a radius of curvature within the range fromapproximately 1.5 inches to approximately 7.0 inches.
 28. The exercisemachine of claim 24 wherein the backing surface is contoured such that,when a compression force is applied against the first surface, the firstsurface is adapted to provide an approximately uniform pressuredistribution on the portion of the user's body.
 29. The exercise machineof claim 24 wherein the moveable portion is pivotably coupled to thefixed portion, further comprising coupling means for moveably couplingthe moveable portion to the load so that movement of the moveableportion is resisted by the load.
 30. An exercise machine, comprising: asupport frame having a fixed portion and a moveable portion moveablycoupled to the fixed portion; a load coupled to the moveable portion bya coupling means for moveably coupling the moveable portion to the loadso that movement of the moveable portion is resisted by the load; asupport surface attached to the support frame proximate the moveableportion, the support surface being adapted to at least partially supporta user's body; at least one pad assembly attached to the support frameproximate the support surface, the pad assembly comprising: acompressible member having a first surface adapted to engage a portionof the user's body and a second surface opposite from the first surface,the second surface being adapted to engage a contoured backing surfacesuch that a compression force applied to the first surface provides anapproximately uniform-thickness portion of the compressible memberbetween the first surface and the contoured backing surface.
 31. Theexercise machine of claim 30 wherein the contoured backing surfacecomprises a contoured pad support projecting from a moveable portion ofthe exercise machine.
 32. The exercise machine of claim 30 wherein theapproximately uniform-thickness portion is co-extensive with a portionof the first surface adapted to contact the portion of the user's body.33. The exercise machine of claim 30 wherein the contoured backingsurface comprises a contoured portion having a radius of curvaturewithin the range from approximately 1.5 inches to approximately 7.0inches.
 34. The exercise machine of claim 30 wherein, when thecompressible force is applied, the compressible member provides a firstsurface approximately corresponds with an anticipated shape of theportion of the user's body.
 35. The exercise machine of claim 30 whereinthe moveable portion comprises a leg yoke and the pad assembly comprisesa leg pad assembly attached to the leg yoke.
 36. A method of exercising,comprising: providing a compressible layer having a first surface, and abacking structure having a non-planar backing surface engaged againstthe compressible layer opposite the first surface; and pressing aportion of a user's body against the first surface to compress thecompressible layer between the portion of the user's body and thenon-planar backing surface and to form an approximatelyuniform-thickness portion of the compressible layer therebetween. 37.The method of claim 36 wherein pressing a portion of a user's bodyagainst the first surface to compress the compressible layer comprisespressing a portion of a user's body against the first surface to form anapproximately uniform-thickness portion of the compressible layer thatis co-extensive with the portion of the user's body.
 38. The method ofclaim 36 wherein pressing a portion of a user's body against the firstsurface to compress the compressible layer comprises pressing a portionof a user's body against the first surface to form an approximatelyuniform-pressure distribution on the portion of the user's body.
 39. Themethod of claim 36 wherein pressing a portion of a user's body againstthe first surface to compress the compressible layer comprises pressinga portion of a user's leg against the first surface.
 40. The method ofclaim 36 wherein pressing a portion of a user's body against the firstsurface to compress the compressible layer comprises pressing a portionof a user's arm against the first surface.
 41. The method of claim 36wherein pressing a portion of a user's body against the first surface tocompress the compressible layer comprises pressing a portion of a user'sshoulder against the first surface.